QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED REGARDING PENSIONS

Q. How do I go about applying for my pension?

A. We have application forms at the union hall or you can get them off of our website: www.boilermakers.ca; go to membership services; forms and agreements and look for retirement application. They can also be downloaded from the home page of www.boilermakersbenefits.ca.

Q. How far ahead do I have to start the process of applying for my pension?

A. As long as you have the pension application into the office of the administrator prior to the fi rst of the month you want it to start, your pension will be paid from that time forward. However, if you want a cheque in your bank by that date, you should start the application process two months ahead of time as it is a two stage process and you have to allow for Canada Post to crawl it across the country.

Q. What are the stages?

A. First we send in the application. The administrators calculate your pension value for each of the options that are available to you. You and your spouse (if applicable) choose which option is best for you; sign and return the form. Then sit back and watch the cheques role in.

Q. What documentation am I going to need?

A. You need a copy of your and your spouse’s (if applicable) birth certifi cate and a copy of your marriage certificate. If you don’t have a birth certifi cate they will also accept a passport or Canadian citizenship card. If you are divorced or separated you need a copy of the court document that indicates whether or not there is to be a split on your pension. Your benefi ciary’s social insurance number and birth date are needed and the beneficiary has to sign the form.

Q. How do I determine the best option to take?

A. Everyone’s situation is different and you have to take into consideration things like: does your spouse have a pension, what is the age difference between you and your spouse, what is the state of your health compared to your spouse’s and what have you put away, other than the pension, to prepare for your retirement? Are your house and vehicle paid for? What do you want to do with your time now that you are retired? Would you like to travel the world or sit in your chair in front of the TV? I’m not qualifi ed to tell you which option is the best, but if you are unsure I suggest you talk to a fi nancial advisor.

Q. What coverage will I have for health and welfare benefits?

A. If you are a pensioner under the age of 65 you have the opportunity to take the pensioner bridge benefi t. This covers you for everything you have as an active member, with the exception of disability. The cost for that is 140.00 per month for 12 months and then it goes up to 205.00 per month. Once you turn 65 you no longer have that option but you can take one of the other pensioner benefi ts. Basic pensioner benefi ts cover you for drugs and dental at the same rate as an active member; 220.00 for lenses and 110.00 for frames every two years; 10,000.00 life insurance; private duty nursing and ambulance coverage. The upgraded pensioner plan includes all of the above as well as an additional 10,000.00 life insurance, hearing aids and semi-private rooms in the hospital. The cost of both of these plans is dependant on the amount of your pension.

Q. Do I have to continue paying union dues?

A. Once you are in receipt of a pension, you have the option of applying for a retired member card. All you have to do is get your dues and assessments up to date and complete the form. You still retain your membership status but no longer have a monetary obligation to the union.

Q. Can I sign the out of work list?

A. You can sign the Retired Members List. This means you will be dispatched after active members and travel cards. When you go to work you are required to pay dues the same as an active member.

Q. Will you help me?

A. Of course I will. You should all have received both the pension and the health and welfare booklets by now. They are also on the website www.boilermakersbenefits.ca. if you never got one in the mail.

Q. How many hours do I work before my pension starts?

A. You need to have contributed on your behalf for two consecutive years. At the end of the second year your pension is considered to be vested.

Q. How many hours do I work before my health & welfare benefits start?

A. Your health benefits start the month after 360 paid hours are received by the benefit plan on your behalf. There is always one month between the month you reach 360 hours and the month your are eligible for. eg: if you got all the hours during July, you would be in benefit September 1 and would have coverage for 3 months as the plan uses 120 hours per month.

 
Rosemarie Criss
Office Manager